Linking Terrestrial and Aquatic Biodiversity to Ecosystem Function Across Scales, Trophic Levels, and Realms

Global declines in biodiversity have the potential to affect ecosystem function, and vice versa, both terrestrial aquatic ecological realms. While many studies considered biodiversity-ecosystem function (BEF) relationships at local scales within single realms, there is a critical need for more examining BEF linkages among across scales, trophic levels. We present framework linking abiotic attributes, productivity, inland review examples of major ways that form realms–cross-system subsidies, engineering, hydrology. then formulate testable hypotheses about relative strength these connections spatial some addressed individually, holistically understand predict impact loss on researchers move beyond simplified systems explicitly investigate cross-realm interactions large-scale patterns processes. Recent advances computational power, data synthesis, geographic information science can facilitate spanning multiple realms will lead comprehensive understanding connections.